The Rush for Gold (Part 2)

The last issue, we discussed the case for buying gold, especially for having physical holdings of the metal.
In this article, we will review the trends we see in the world of physical gold.

 

Global Demand For Physical Gold is Robust

In 2013, investment in physical gold bars and coins was the highest on record. Even now, we are well within the post-2008 range. In 2016, we saw gold demand gaining 2% to reach a three-year high of 4,308.7t., the highest demand for gold in the last three years. Annual inflows into an exchange-traded fund (ETF) reached 531.9t, the second-highest on record. However, jewellery demand fell to a seven-year low, and central banks purchased less gold than before.

Surprisingly, although gold ETFs saw inflows of funds, the demand for physical bars and coins declined by 2% compared to 2015.

 

Gold Purchases by Central Banks

Historically, gold’s role in the global economy has been as the ultimate safe-haven asset. Central banks use gold to shore up monetary stability. Fluctuations in a country’s gold reserves reflect how its central bank perceives the future of large-scale macroeconomic development. Up until the 2008 crisis, central banks were reducing their gold holdings. In the desperate search for economic stability that followed the crisis, governments worldwide showed a newfound interest in gold. Interestingly, it was primarily emerging economies that actually increased their gold reserves. Of special note were the largest buyers: China, Russia, Turkey, India and Kazakhstan.

This trend has accelerated these past three years.

 

The Move to Private Storage Service Providers

In the last few years, we moved large quantities of physical gold as part of our precious metals services from banks’ vaults to privately managed vaults in different locations. There are a few reasons for this trend:

 

Fear of a financial crisis

As we mentioned last month, the financial crisis of 2008 created a great loss of confidence in “the system.” Investors are rightfully worried that storing their physical gold assets and bullion with a financial institution—the same banks that failed—will not give them the same peace of mind as storing their assets in private hands.

 

Accessibility to stored precious metals

Clients want to be able to access their wealth when THEY want to. Banks keep you subject to limited operating hours, while private storage operators offer greater flexibility. You can visit and inspect your precious metals.

 

New government regulations affecting banks

Governments worldwide are tightening the screws. Banks have become regulated to the point where it’s difficult even to simply open an account. As a result of stricter regulations, it can be difficult to secure a bank-run storage unit.

 

Tailored solutions

Private vaults offer tailored solutions. That means clients can store paintings, large collections and any other valuables alongside their precious metals. They also benefit from the option to keep your stored wealth under more than one jurisdiction, but with the same company.

 

Uncertainty about how precious metals are stored

Clients have doubts about the storage of their bullion when it’s stored in a vault to which they have limited access. Is it truly allocated under the client’s name? Is it off the custodian balance sheet?

Part 3

Click here for Part 3 of our short series in this sequence “The Rush For Gold” and learn more insights into our ancestors used gold and looked for gold across our planet. The click here to Part 1, and discover how we find gold today, what it’s used for, and its ultimate wealth.

Buy Gold with J. Rotbart & Co.

Why Us

J. Rotbart & Co. is a boutique firm specializing in physical precious metals and other tangible assets.